Electrically-operated type-writing machine.



PATENTED JAN. 20, 1903.

J. S. HARRISON. ELECTRIOALLY OPERATED TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APB. 12, 1902.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

H0 MODEL.

No. 718,758. PATENTED JAN. 20, 1903.

J. S. HARRISON. ELEOTRIGALLY OPERATED TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

' APPLICATION FILED APR. 12, 1902.

H0 MODEL. 2 SHEETS-$111131 2.

Warren STATES PATENT @FFICEQ JOHN S. HARRISON, OF SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO PRENDERGAST ELECTRIC TYPEWRITER COM- PANY, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

ELECTRICALLY=OPERATED TYPE=WRITING MACE-NE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 718,758, dated January 20, 1903. Application filed April 12, 1902. Serial No. 102,593. kNo model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern: now commonly used on machines of this kind,

Be it known that I, JOHN S. HARRISON, a and it will therefore make possible a wider citizen of the United States, and a resident extent of manifolding-work on this kind of of Savannah, county of Chatham, State of a machine, which now cannot be done satis- 5 Georgia, have invented certain new and usefactorily, because in the effort to obtain ful Improvements in Electrically-0perated lightness of touch as now constructed the Type-VVriting Machines, of which the followmakers have been compelled to use a wheel ing is a specification. so light as to make itimpossible to manifold My invention relates to electrically-open as well as with type-bar machines. 10 ated type-writing machines, and more par- My further object is to provide type-writticularly to that class of type-writing maing machines of the kind designated with chines in which the printing is effected by electrically-controlled devices for also releasimpressions from a rotary or oscillating typeing the carriage-feed and the hammer-operat wheel, whose movements are controlled by ing devices, so that not only may the type- 15 key-levers. In this class of machines, afawheel be brought to printing position by miliar type of which is the Hammond typeelectrical means, but the carriage and the writer, the depression of a key on the board hammer caused to act through such electrical accomplishes four resultsfirst, it moves the means as well, thus involving an expenditure type-wheel to the printing-point; second, it of force on the part of the operator only so 20 lifts the stop-pin corresponding to the letter far as is necessary to depress each key to on the key which has been depressed, which bring it into contact with a contact device to stop-pin stops the type-wheel when it arrives close the circuit through the electromagnet at the proper printing-point third, it releases or other electrical device whereby the several the hammer-spring, and, fourth, it releases functions are caused to be performed.

2 the carriage-spring and the carriage moves With these objects in view my invention forward one notch. consists in the novel construction and de- Now one object of my invention is to protails thereof, as hereinafter described with vide an electrical device for a type-writing reference to the accompanying drawings and machine of this character which will automore particularly pointed out in the claims.

30 matically come into action to cause the type- In the drawings, Figure 1 is a broken perwheel to be moved into printing position spective View of sufficient parts of a typewithout requiring that expenditure of force writing machine showing the application of on the part of the operator as is now required my invention thereto. Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, in the manual operation of the key-levers to and 8 are detail views of modifications.

5 effect this particular movement. It is be- Referring now to the drawings, in which lieved that the moving of the type-wheel to the same reference characters refer to the the printing position takes approximately same or corresponding parts in all the views, seventy-five per cent. of the force necessary the numeral 1 indicates the base-board, to to depress the key, and hence the use of which the frame 2 of the machine is attached,

4o myinvention upon machines of the character on which frame the operating parts of the madesignated will obviate the objections to such chines are mounted. The key-levers provided 0 machines, because it will remove the unevenwith the various keys are indicated by the ness and hardness of touch now existing in numeral 3, said key-levers being vertically such machines. In fact, by my invention the guided in slots 4, formed in the guide-bar 5,

5 key depression can be made even and shorter, extending transversely across the bed of the as well as lighter, than in any other machine machine. The levers are fulcrumed on the 5 now on the market. Moreover, by my infulcrum-bars 5,0ne for each bankof the keys, vention it will be possible to use a metal although, if desired,one such bar maybeused type-wheel in place of the hard-rubber wheel for all levers. Each lever has its inner end in contact with the lower end of the stop-pin (3, vertically guided in the type-wheel-supporting structure 7, said pin being adapted to arrest the stop-arm 8, connected to the type-wheel 9, slidably mounted in the typewheel carrier 24, as is usual in this class of machines.

Journaled on the frame of the machine below the type-wheel-supporting structure on each side of the machine is a rock-shaft 10, having an arm 11 extending outwardly and inside of the standards 12 of the frame, and extending upwardly from said rock-shaft on each side of the machine is a tappet-arm 13, having a stud 14, adapted to engage a notch or extension 15 on the type-wheel arm 9 in order to oscillate said arm on its pivot to bring the type wheel to printing position as each key is depressed, these parts being common in this class of machines, and hence require no further detailed description.

In the ordinary form of machine in the different functions effected by the depression of the keys a transversely-extending arm 14, carried by the rock-shaft 10 on each side of the machine, is engaged by the key-lever as the key is depressed, thereby oscillating the rock-shaft 10, which transmits motion to the type-wheel-operating arm 9 to bring the said type-wheel to printing position; but in my invention this arm, it will be understood, may be wholly omitted, as the movement of these parts is effected by the electricaldevice, which I will now describe, although of course if it is desired for any reason at any time to utilize the manual means said arm may remain.

Mounted upon the base-board of the machine on either side is an electromagnet 16, carrying an armature 17, fulcrumed on the upper pole-pieces 18, which armature carries an arm 19,01 non-magnetic material,engaging a link 20. In the lower end of this link is a slot 21, engaging an arm 22, extending outward ly from the rock-shaft arm 23 on the rock-shaft (not shown) journaled on the frame of the machine and controlling the usual carriage-feed and hammer-operating mechanism. Pivotally mounted on said link is a lever 25, having one end 25 normally in contact with the stud 10 on the type-wheel-operating rockshaft 10 and having its other end normally pressed downward by a spring 26, confined by an adjusting set-screw 27, passing through a lug 28 on the link. Projecting from the side of the link is a stop 29 for limiting the upward movement of the operating end of the lever, such stop holding the lever 25 at its point of normal engagement with the pin 10.

As the arms on the rock-shaft for releasing the carriage feed and hammer operating mechanism always lift a constant distance and the type-wheel-operating arm moves a varying distance according to the position of the keys corresponding to the type on the type-wheel, it will be seen that as the armature always moves a constant distance when the circuit is completed through the magnet provision must be made for compensating for the differential movement of the typewheel-operating arm, and such compensation is effected by the construction just described, wherein the spring is made strong enough to cause the end of the lever under the normal strain to lift the type-wheel-operating rockshaft the proper distance, corresponding to the movement required of the type-wheel arm, to bring the type-wheel to proper printing position; but when this lever has performed its function of lifting the rock-shaft to carry the type-wheel to its proper position as the rock-shaft for operating the carriagefeed and hammer mechanism is further rotated by the continued movement of the link 20 a further strain is exerted upon the lever 25, tending to force the type-wheel stop-arm 8 against its stop-pin 6, which strain is taken up by the yielding connection between said lever and the link.

Any suitable contact devices may be employed under the keys for completing the electric circuit through the electromagnet as each key is depressed, several forms of such devices being shown in the drawings. In Fig. 1 is shown a bridge-contact in which there are two contact-points 30 projecting upwardly from a conducting plate or strip 32 through the base-board and terminatingdirectly under each key, and on each key is pivoted a bridgepiece 31, having one end constantly in contact with one of the contact-points 30, the other end adapted to be brought in contact upon the depression of the key, thereby completing the circuit through the contact-points 30, the conducting-plate 32, wires 33, 34, and 35, battery 36, and magnet 16.

In Fig. 3 the contact is effected through a plate 43, having a series of yielding brushes or teeth 44 normally out of contact with the several keys, the circuit being closed by contact of a key-lever with its corresponding tooth.

In Fig. 6 I have indicated a helical springcontact 45 under each key-lever, the several spring-contacts being connected together in circuit by any suitable conductor, as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

In Figs. 7 and 8 I have shown two forms of circuit-closing devices wherein a single contact-point is utilized for all the keys instead of having a separate contact for each key, as in the former constructions, and these constructions I deem preferable for this purpose when convenient to apply or use them.

In the form shown in Fig. 7 I use abridgepiece 46, secured to an arm 14, taking the place of the ordinary arm 14, the wires 33 and 35 being attached to binding-posts or separated contact-pieces 47 and 48 on the base-board of the machine, the arms of which contact-pieces are normally out of contact with the bridge-piece 46, which is lifted by the arm 14 as each key is depressed, thereby with the two contact-pieces.

bringing the bridge-piece 46 in contact with the two arms of the contact-pieces 47 and 48, thus closing the circuit. 1

In the form shown in Fig. 8 a similar construction is used wherein an arm 49 is pivotally mounted upon the base-board of the machine, normally held up against the under side of the key-levers at the front of the machine by springs 50. This arm 49 carries a bridgepiece 51, which closes the circuit through the contact-pieces 52 and 53 as each key is depressed, the downward movement of the key-lever pressing the arm 49 downward, thus bringing the bridge-piece 51 in contact The springs cause the arm 49 to resume its normal position when the key is released. A

It will be understood that the modifications illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 are to be placed on each side of the machine, one for operating in conjunction with half the key-levers.

- From the foregoing description it will be seen that upon the depression of a key the circuit is closed through the battery, electromagnet, and contact devices, whereby the electromag net is energized, the armature attracted by the pole-piece, and its inner end lifted, thereby raising the rock-shaft arm, which moves the type-wheel-operating arm, thus carrying the type-Wheel to the printing position corre sponding to the key depressed, and at the same time the further upward movement of the armature lever or arm raises the rockshaft arm controlling the carriage-feed and hammer-operating mechanism to the extreme upward position, thus releasing the carriage after the hammer has delivered its blow, and in this operation the yielding element in the link connection intermediate of the armature and the type-wheel permits the constant lift or movement of the armature with the varying movements of the type-wheel without exerting undue strain upon the parts.

In Fig. 2 I have shown a modified form of the yielding element in the link connection intermediate of the armature and type-wheel wherein, it will be observed, the link and spring-actuated lever thereon are replaced by a single link 37, having two arms 38 and 39, adapted to engage, respectively, the pin and arm on the rock-shaft for operating the typewheel and rock-shaft and for controlling the carriage-feeding and hammer mechanism. In this case the yielding and differential movements of the type-wheel connection between the armature and type-wheel-operating arm are effected by means of a jointed t-ype-wheel-operating arm 39 having a leafspring 40 interposed between the two jointed parts and normally tending to keep them in relative positions, as shown in full lines. When the movement of the armature exceeds the movement that must be imparted to the type-wheel-operating arm, in order to bring the type-wheel in printing position corresponding to the key depressed the upper jointed member of the type-wheel-operating arm will yield to a sufficient extent to compensate for the difference in movement of the parts, and thereby prevent excessive strain on the parts.

In Fig. 3 I have shown a further modified form for operating the type-Wheel-actuating arm, which may be useful when it is desired simply to apply to existing machines of this type my invention for operating the typewheel-actuating mechanism to bring the typewheel to printing position without using the other features of the invention and without altering the construction of said machines. In this form the arm 19 is connected by a strong helical spring 41, connected with the stud 10 the other parts being the same as the construction already described. The provision of the spring connection between the armature and the type-wheel in this form of the device compensates for the varying strain upon the type-wheel rock-shaft, due to the constant movement of the armature and the variable movement of the type-wheel, hereinbefore referred to.

While I believe it to be preferable to use an electromagnet as an actuating device, it will be understood that a solenoid may be used for this purpose, if desired, as shown in Fig. 4, the core 42 in such case operating to perform the function of the movable armature of the magnet and the link connection being still preserved.

It may sometimes be desirable to make the connections between the type-wheel-operating rock-shaft 10 direct instead of through intermediate levers, as hereinbefore described, and in Fig. 5 I have indicated one such construction wherein the magnet is shown as having its armature 17 connected directly to.

the end of the arm 10 of said rock-shaft. In this case, however, it will be observed that there is still between the electromagnet and the type-wheel a link connection whereby a positive and direct movement is imparted to the operating devices of the type-wheel and the carriage-feed and hammeroperating mechanism, as in the other constructions.

While my invention may be applied to the type of machines designated without altering any of its parts, I prefer to utilize one of the advantages of my invention, resulting in greater compactness, by shortening the keylevers, as shown, and moving the fulcra of said levers closer to the ty-pe-wheel-supporting structure, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, wherein the keys are brought much closer to the type-wheel-cylinder structure than in the ordinary type of machine, the levers in such case requiring only sufficient length to reach the stop-pin 6 and to give leverage sufficient to enable the operator to move the keys the short distance required to make the electrical contact.

I am aware that it has been proposed .to operate the different parts of a type-writing machine by electrical means and also that it has been proposed to operate parts of typewheel machines by such means; but my invention ditfers from devices of this character heretofore devised in that it embodies a direct link connection between the type-wheel and the magnet or electrical controlling device, Which not only adapts it for application to existing machines, but constitutes a simpler and more eifective means for this purpose and contributes to material reduction in the size and Weight of such machines.

It is to be understood that where I use the terms electromagnet or electromagnetic device in the description and claims I intend to include that form known as the solenoid, hereinbefore described, and it will be further understood that while I prefer to use an electromagnetic device as the motor it is obvious that the essential features of my invention may be used with other kinds of motors, in which the movable element, corresponding to the armature or other movable element of the electromagnetic device, may be connected to the type-Wheel-operating mechanism and to the releasing devices for the carriage and hammer actuating mechanism.

I claim as my invention 1. In a type-writing machine having a typewheel, keys, mechanism controlled by the depression of the keys for moving said wheel to printing position, hammer-operating mechanism, and controlling mechanism for releasing the carriage and hammer operating mechanisms, the combination of an electromagnetic device, a link connection between said electromagnetic device and the controlling mechanisms for moving the type-wheel to printing position and for releasing the carriage and hammer operating mechanisms, and means for closing the circuit through said electromagnetic device, as each key is depressed, whereby, as each key is depressed, the magnetic device is energized and the said controlling mechanisms operated through said link connection, substantially as described.

2. Ina type-writing machine having a typewheel, keys, mechanism controlled by the depression of the keys for moving said wheel to printing position, hammer-operating mechanism, and controlling mechanism for releasing the carriage and hammer operating mechanisms, the combination of an electromagnetic device, a link connection between the said electromagnetic device and the type-wheelmoving mechanism and the controlling mechanism for the hammer and carriage operating mechanisms, said link connection having a yielding element interposed between the electromagnetic device and the type-wheel-moving mechanism, and means for closing the circuit through the electromagnetic device, as each key is depressed, substantially as described.

3. In a type-writing machine of the character described, the combination with the keylevers, the rock-shaft, and connected mechanism for moving the type-wheel to printing position, the rock-shaft and connected mechanism for controlling the carriage-feeding and hammer-operating mechanisms, of an electromagnetic device in open circuit with the keylevers, a link connecting the armature of the magnetic device with the rock-shaft controlling the carriage-feeding and ham mcr-operating mechanisms, a lever fulcrumed on the said link and having a yielding connection therewith, one end of said lever adapted to engage the type-wheel-operating rock-shaft, and a contact device operated by the depression of each key-lever arranged to close the circuit through the electromagnetic device, substantially as described.

4:. In a type-writing machine having a typewheel, keys, and mechanism controlled by the depression of the keys for moving said wheel to printing position, the combination of an electromagnet having a movable armature, with a link connection between said electromagnet and the mechanism for moving the type-wheel to printing position, and means for automatically closing the circuit through said magnet, as each key is depressed, whereby, as each key is depressed, an electric circuit is completed through the magnet and key, and the magnet is energized so that the armature is moved and operates the typewheelmechanism,substantially as described.

5. In a type-writing machine having a typewheel and type-wheel-operating mechanism controlled by the depression of the keys, the combination with the key-levers of an electromagnet, a movable armature having a link connection with the typewheel operating mechanism, acontact device so arranged with respect to the key-levers that, upon the depression of each key, the electrical circuit through the magnet and key will be closed, whereby, the said magnet will be energized and the armature caused to move and operate the type-wheel-operating mechanism, substantially as described.

6. In a type-writing machine of the character described, having a type-wheel and typewheel-operating mechanism controlled by the depression of the keys, the combination with the key-levers, of an electromagnet adapted to be placed in electrical circuit by each keylever as the latter is depressed to a given point, the rock-shaft for operating the typewheel-moving devices, an armature pivotally mounted on the magnet, the free end of which extends within the field of force at one of the pole-pieces of the magnet, said armature having a lever-arm extending therefrom and connected to the rock-shaft, and contact devices so arranged that, upon the depression of a key to the proper point, the circuit is closed and the electromagnet energized, substantially as described.

7. In a type-Writing machine of the character described, the combination with the keylevers, the rock-shaft and connected mechanism for moving the said type-Wheel to printing position, of an electromagnet mounted upon the base-board, an armature pivotally mounted upon the upper pole-piece of the magnet and extending downwardly to, but normallyout of contact with, the lower polepiece, and an arm on said armature connected with the said rock-shaft, and a contact device so arranged that, upon the depression of the key to a given point, the circuit through the magnet is closed, substantially as described.

8. In a type-writing machine of the character described, the combination with the keylevers, the rock-shaft and connected mechanism for moving the said wheel to printing position, of an electromagnet, an armature fulcrumed upon the upper pole-piece of said magnet and extending toward the other polepiece, but normally out of contact therewith, and an arm extending at an angle to said armature, a spring connection between said latter arm and the rock-shaft, and a contact device so arranged that, upon the depression of each key to a given point, the circuit will be closed through the magnet, substantially as described.

9. In a type-writing machine of the character described, the combination with the keylevers, the rock-shaft operated by said keylevers in the normal manual operation of the machine for controlling the type-wheel in its movements to printing position, of an electromagnet, an armature fulcrumed on one of the pole-pieces of said magnet and extending toward, but normally out of contact with, the other pole-piece, a connection between said armature and the said rock-shaft, a contact device having contact points so arranged that, upon the depression of each key to a given point, the circuit through the magnet may be closed and the armature operated to move the rockshaft, substantially as described.

10. In a type-writing machine of the character described, having the operating elements, as described, the combination with the mechanism for controlling the type-wheel-operating mechanism, of an. electromagnetic device, a link connection between said electromagnetic device and the said controlling mechanism, an arm adapted to be moved by the key-levers as the keys are depressed, a single contact device carried by said arm, and contact devices on the machine cooperating with said single contact device to close the circuit through the electromagnetic device, as each key is depressed, substantially as described.

11. In a type-writing machine having keylevers, a vibrating type-wheel bearing characters adapted to be brought to printing position by the vibration of said type-wheel, a motor having a movable element, a yielding connection between the movable element and the type-wheel, and means controlled by the movement of any key-lever for causing the movable element to actuate the type-wheel through such yielding connection, substantially as described.

12. In a type-writing machine having keylevers, a vibratingtype-wheelbearing characters adapted to be brought into printing position by the vibration of said type-wheel, stops for arresting the type wheel at difierent points corresponding to the characters to be printed, a motor having a movable element with constant travel, a yielding connection between said movable element and the type- Wheel and adapted to permit a differential movement of the type-wheel with respect to the travel of the movable element of the motor, and means operated by the movement of any key-lever for causing the movable element to actuate the type-wheel through the yielding connection, substantially as described.

13. In a type-writing machine having keylevers, a type-wheel bearing characters adapted to be brought into printing position by the vibration of the type-wheel, stops for arresting the type-wheel at different points corresponding to the character to be printed, a motor having a movable element with constant travel, a link connection between said movable element and the type-wheel for vibrating the same, a yielding element forming part of said link connection, and means controlled by the movement of any key-lever for causing the movable element of the motor to actuate the type-wheel through said link connection, substantially as described.

14:. In a type-writing machine having keylevers, a vibrating type-wheel bearing characters adapted to be brought into printing position by the vibration of said type-wheel, stops for arresting the type-wheel at different points corresponding to the character to be printed, a motor having a movable element With constant travel, a link connection between said movable element and the typewheel, a spring forming a part of said link connection and adapted to transmit differential movement to the type-Wheel for its various printing positions as the movable element of the motor moves its constant distance, and means controlled by the movement of any key for imparting motion to said movable element, substantially as described.

15. In a type-writing machine having a type-wheel, keys, mechanism controlled by the depression of the keys for moving the type-wheel to printing position, a carriage and a hammer, and controlling means for releasing the mechanism for operating said carriage and hammer, the combination of an electromagnetic device, a link connection between said electromagnetic device and the type-Wheel-moving mechanism, and means for closing the circuit through the electromagnetic device, as each key is depressed, whereby the electromagnetic device is' energized as each key is depressed, and the typewheel operated, substantially as described.

16. In a type-writing machine having a type-wheel, keys, mechanism controlled by the depression of the keys for moving the type-wheel to printing position, a carriage, a

hammer, and controlling means for releasing magnetic device as each key is depressed, the mechanism for operating said carriage substantially as described.

and hammer, the combination of an electro- In testimony whereof I have signed my magnetic device, a link connection between name to this specification in the presence of said electromagnetic device and the type- I two subscribing witnesses.

wheel-moving mechanism, said link conneci JNO S HARRISON tion having a yielding element interposed between the electromagnetic device and the \Vitnesses: type-\vheel-moving mechanism, and means THOS. H. GIGNILLIAT, IQ for closing the circuit through the electro- T. F. COOK. 

